NFL Free Agency- Best Fits for Top Free Agents

In a few short weeks, the NFL off-season officially kicks into high gear when the free agency period kicks off in March. Leading up to this date though there will be dozens of rumors and rumblings suggesting which players sign with which teams and some of those rumors will most likely come true. While there are a good group of free agents who will most likely take their talents elsewhere, this year may be a year where we see a good chunk of the top free agents re-sign rather than sign with a new team. Let’s look at some of the big name free agents this season and where they might be headed come March 9th. Some of these players may have multiple teams in consideration for their services while others have one match simply because it is hard to envision them with another team entering next season.

Kirk Cousins- Redskins

While there are some rumblings that Cousins may not want to remain in Washington long-term I still don’t see the Redskins letting their franchise QB walk this off-season. Washington can afford the franchise tag and that is what they do with Cousins.

Le’Veon Bell- Steelers

This is biggest no brainer of this list. Bell is arguably one of the most complete running backs and make Pittsburgh one of the most lethal offenses in the league. Pittsburgh can’t afford to lose him so they give Bell the contract he deserves.

Alshon Jeffery- Bears

Like Cousins, there are also rumblings that Jeffrey may not be staying in Chicago for too much longer but with Kevin White still be unproven and Cameron Meredith developing into a decent #2 receiver, Jeffrey is someone the Bears need. Not only is he one of their best offensive weapons but he is also a team captain. Jeffrey’s status in Chicago is up in the air so don’t be surprised if he stays with the Bears or if he chooses to walk.

Other teams to consider- Eagles, Titans, Buccaneers

Pierre Garcon- Redskins

The Redskins were unable to keep Jackson but retained at least one of Cousin’s targets in Pierre Garcon. If the Redskins plan to persuade Cousins to stay long-term why not re-assure their confidence by keeping one of their best receivers.

Other teams to consider- Eagles, Rams, 49ers, Bears

DeSean Jackson- Rams

With Sean McVay taking over the Rams this off-season, DeSean Jackson would be a perfect receiver to help mentor Tavon Austin and Brian Quick and would be a reliable target for Jared Goff. This seems like a perfect match for both sides and would help replace the production lost from Kenny Britt’s departure.

Other teams to consider- Eagles

Kenny Britt- Eagles

The Eagles struck out with Jeffrey and Jackson but got themselves a nice consolation prize in Britt. Britt had himself a productive season in Los Angeles considering the lack of consistency at QB but now he gets to work and build a connection with Carson Wentz. Britt is the big, outside receiver that the Eagles have missed since in a while.

Other teams to consider- Rams, Bears, Titans, Buccaneers

Terrelle Pryor- Browns

Outside of Le’Veon Bell, this signing might be the second most obvious pairing in free agency. Pryor established himself this season as a legitimate receiver and with a lack of star power in Cleveland it only makes sense to keep your best offensive player to build around with whoever they choose as their next QB.

Jason Pierre-Paul- Giants

After a severe hand injury, Pierre-Paul bounced back and had a productive season and once again displayed his ability to pressure the QB. Pierre-Paul is still one of the more consistent pass rushers in the league and it would be foolish for the Giants to let one of their best defensive lineman walk especially considering they have the cap space to resign for former Pro Bowler.

Other teams to consider- Dolphins, Bengals, Lions

Calais Campbell- Redskins

The Redskins have a couple of great edge rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Preston Smith but lack star power on the defensive line outside of Chris Baker. Campbell would give Washington a massive defensive end who has both playoff experience and can be a leader both on the field and in the locker room.

Other teams to consider- Cardinals, Bears, Colts, Chargers

Kawann Short- Panthers

Kawann Short has established himself as one of the best up and coming defensive tackles in the league but with the Panthers having to resign multiple players and various holes to fill on both sides of the ball, don’t be surprised to be Short get the franchise tag.

Charles Johnson- Panthers

As stated above, the Panthers have several holes to fill on defense but one guy thy should let go is Charles Johnson. He may be up there in age but he has been one of Carolina’s best pass rushers and is a team captain which only makes him more valuable to the team.

Dontari Poe- Colts

There is no guarantee that Poe leaves the Chiefs but unless they make several moves this off-season I don’t see how they can retain both Poe and Eric Berry. Also, consider that the Colts GM is now Chris Ballard, formally with the Chiefs, so wouldn’t it be fitting for Ballard’s first big splash to be Poe? Poe would be a massive upgrade for the Colts in the middle of their defensive line and can be one of the anchors on defense for years to come.

Other teams to consider- Chiefs, Raiders, Buccaneers, Rams

Nick Perry- Packers

The Packers have been fortunate enough to have a great core of edge rushers the last few years with Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers but with Pepper’s tenure in Green Bay coming to an end, Green Bay has their replacement in Nick Perry. Perry is a versatile edge rusher who quietly had himself a good season posting double digit sacks so at this point Perry is almost certainly going back to Green Bay.

Julius Peppers- Panthers

This signing would allow Peppers to come full circle in his career. Once seen as the face of the panthers next to Steve Smith, Peppers would most likely be welcomed back with open arms and would give the Panthers both a leader and a mentor for some of the younger linemen like Kony Ealy and Kawann Short. It would be wise for the Panthers to use this money to resign a younger pass rusher like Mario Addison but since signing would simply be a feel good coming home story.

Other teams to consider- Cowboys, Patriots, Lions, Steelers

Melvin Ingram- Chargers

Just like Nick Perry in Green Bay, Melvin Ingram is establishing himself as the premiere pass rusher with the Chargers and a leader on the defense. If the Chargers were to let Ingram walk it would force the team to have to try to replace one of their best defenders and we know how that has worked for them in the past (Eric Weddle leaving for Baltimore).

Other teams to consider- Bears, Colts, Ravens

Chandler Jones- Cardinals

Arizona will have some issues retaining their best talent but out of all their priorities, Chandler Jones should be on the top of their list. After trading for the edge rusher, Jones quickly made himself known on the Cardinals defense and looks to be one of their best defensive players. While he may have been outplayed by fellow edge rusher Markus Golden this season, Jones has a lot of years ahead of him and is harder to replace than an aging Calais Campbell or one of their defensive backs like Tony Jefferson.

Eric Berry- Chiefs

This may be the most intriguing free agency story this off-season. Not only did Eric Berry have a Pro Bowl worthy season but he also had one of the best come back stories I’ve seen in a long time. While the Chiefs don’t have a lot of cap flexibility this off-season I can’t see them letting Berry walk without at least trying to resign the Pro Bowl safety. I would assume they try to make some moves over the next few weeks to free up some cap space so they can retain Berry for the long-term future.

Tony Jefferson- Raiders

Over the last few weeks, there seems to be some conversations linking Jefferson to the Raiders and it would not surprise me in the slightest to see Jefferson land with Oakland. Jefferson, a California native, is a young, athletic safety who would fit in nicely with Oakland’s defense and would form a great group of safeties alongside Reggie Nelson and 2016 1st round pick Karl Joseph.

Other teams to consider- Cardinals, Bears, Browns, Jaguars, Titans

Trumaine Johnson- Browns

For some reason, it seems like the Rams are allowing some of their best playmakers to test the free agent market including Kenny Britt and Johnson. Johnson had a bit of a down year this season but is still of the more premiere CBs in the league and with the Browns having the most cap space in the league why not pair a young playmaker on defense with a young, rebuilding team. Joe Haden’s name seems to be popping up on the trade market so if they indeed trade the former Pro Bowl CB why not replace him with bigger, younger CB in Johnson.

Other teams to consider- Bears, Packers, Rams, Jets

AJ Bouye- Bears

AJ Bouye had a breakout season with the Texans which will result in him receiving a big pay day this off-season. I would assume the Texans may look to keep the young CB but with the Bears current secondary situation in limbo, I would not be surprised to see GM Ryan Pace pull out the check book for Bouye. Pace is also known for going after up and coming free agents like Akiem Hicks and Pernell McPhee so it would not be shocking to see Bouye be the next one of this list.

Other teams to consider- Texans, Browns, Eagles, 49ers, Jets

Stephon Gilmore- Jets

With the recent news surrounding Darrelle Revis it is safe to say the Jets may look to move on from the former All-Pro CB. Even though Revis is considered one of the best CBs in the last decade, the Jets secondary is still lacking playmakers which is why they should go after Gilmore. Gilmore is seeking top CB money and with the Jets cap situation this pairing doesn’t seem likely but it makes sense for the Jets to target a CB they see twice a season.

Other teams to consider- Bills, Bears, Packers, Browns